Destinations, Europe, France

How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Eze: Things to Do + Tips for Your Visit

A stop in Èze is an essential part of any French Riviera itinerary. The ultra-charming medieval town is steeped in history. The oldest building in the village (Chapelle de la Sainte Croix) dates back to the early 1300s! 

Beyond the rich history and the beautiful scenery, this picturesque hilltop town offers some of the best views in the South of France. There’s nothing better than taking in the views of the vibrant blue water of the Mediterranean Sea from above! 

Given its small size, Èze is the perfect spot for an easy day trip from Nice, Cannes, and other nearby towns and cities near the coast. 

I’ve created this guide to help you plan a successful day trip to Èze. We’ll talk through essential information you need to know (including the transportation logistics!), as well as all of the spots you’ll want to check out during your visit.

A stone building covered in ivy with light blue shutters on the windows
A woman with her back turned to the camera looking at the view of the gardens and the sea from the Jardin Exotique in Eze
A narrow stone path going between two stone buildings in Eze.

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Quick Tips for Visiting Èze

  • Arrive Early – Èze is incredibly popular, so you’ll want to get there early to at least partially enjoy it without the crowds (particularly if you’re visiting in peak travel season). Alternatively, arrive in the late afternoon, once the majority of day trippers have left. 
  • Wear Supportive Shoes – the cobblestone paths are uneven (and some of the stones are a bit slippery!), so I highly recommend wearing comfortable, flat shoes with decent traction. 
  • Make Restaurant Reservations in Advance – if you want to dine at one of the most popular restaurants, be sure to book your reservation well in advance.

How Much Time Do You Need in Eze?

For an Èze day trip, plan to spend around one and a half to two and a half hours exploring the town. This is the perfect amount of time for strolling the cobblestone streets, stopping in some shops and galleries, and visiting the garden.

If you plan on doing the perfumery laboratory tour or perfume making workshop, give yourself an extra 45 minutes to an hour. Add another hour to an hour and a half to your itinerary if you’ll be getting lunch in Èze. 

Note: I’ve included recommendations on what to do after your day in Èze at the end of this guide!

Of course, for a more leisurely experience, you could even make Èze a home base on your French Riviera trip for a night or two! La Chèvre d’Or and Château Eza are the two main hotels right in the village, and are definitely worth considering for bucket list experience. 

I’ve included Eze in both my 10-day French Riviera itinerary and 3-day Nice itinerary! Take a look if you’re starting to plan a South of France vacation.

How to Get to Eze from Nice

If you’ll be traveling from Nice to Èze for a day, there are a few modes of transportation you can take. Before we cover your options, it’s important to highlight the difference between Èze in general and Èze Village.

Èze Village is the actual hilltop town that you’ll be exploring – it’s the final destination you’ll be navigating to! Èze can refer to the greater commune.

If you are considering taking the train, note that the Èze train station is located at the bottom of the hill (right by Plage de Èze sur Mer)…not at Èze Village! Those that arrive at the Èze train station have two options for getting up to the village. 

The first is to take the Lignes d’Azur 83 Bus from Gare Èze (right by the train station) to the Èze – Village stop. 

For the more adventurous visitors, the second option is taking the hike up to Èze Village via the Nietzsche Path. The hike is about 1.2 miles one way, and takes about an hour to complete (without stops). Keep in mind that it’s not an easy hike, as it requires some elevation gain!  

Taking the train from Nice definitely isn’t the most convenient option, unless you are interested in doing the hike. Here are the other transportation methods to consider for getting to Èze Village: 

  • By Bus from Nice – rather than taking the train and the bus, you can take a bus from Nice directly to Èze Village via the Lignes d’Azur 82 Bus. This bus departs from numerous stops towards the east side of Nice, including XVe Corps and Max Barel. Just keep in mind that the bus can get crowded, particularly in peak travel season!
  • By Uber or Taxi – to give yourself a bit more flexibility, consider taking a taxi or Uber to Èze Village. You’ll get dropped off right near the intersection of M6007 and Av. du Jardin Exotique (right by the Fragonard Boutique), and then you can do the short walk up to the village. For convenience, I chose to take an Uber during my visit. It did take a moment to connect to a driver once we were done in Èze, but overall it was a pretty easy process. Since Èze Village is so popular, there were quite a few taxis around when we left. 
  • By car – if you have your own car, you can drive directly to Èze Village and park at this small lot or this garage. 
Bougainvillea flowers and other greenery along a stone path in Eze
A French flag on top of a roof, with the Mediterranean Sea in the background
A stone path surrounded by plants at the Jardin Exotique

The Perfect Day Trip to Eze: A Complete Itinerary

Here is exactly how I recommend spending your Èze day trip. 

Prefer a guided experience? Consider booking one of these experiences:

Explore the Narrow Streets & Local Shops

Simply walking through town is one of the best things to do in Èze!

If you arrive early in the day, I recommend immediately starting with a stroll through the village before the crowds arrive. This is exactly what I did, and I’m so glad I had a chance to roam around and soak up the quiet beauty before it got too busy!

Enjoy spending some time walking down the narrow passageways, admiring the greenery-covered architecture and beautiful stone streets, and taking in the views. You’ll pass by many art galleries and small shops (a mix of somewhat touristy stores and cuter boutiques), as well as a few cafes and eateries. 

As you make your way around town, be sure to stop by the Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption de Èze. It’s easy to miss since it’s on the outer edge of town, but it’s worth popping by to admire both the exterior and interior. 

The view up at a round stone tower in Eze. There are flowers and greenery on the building.
A stone building covered in greenery next to a curved path. There is a rounded wooden door at the entrance to the building.
Looking up at the entrance landing to a stone building in Eze. There is greenery growing around the facade of the building.

Visit the Jardin Exotique d’Èze

Once you’ve strolled through town, it’s time to make your way to the main Èze attraction: Jardin Exotique d’Èze. 

This botanical garden is situated at the very top of the village. It’s where you’ll get those unbelievable views of the coastline below! Beyond the views, the garden itself is incredibly scenic. Think winding pathways, cool sculptures, and of course, plenty of exotic plants. 

When I was visiting, most of the crowds seemed to stay around the main section of the garden, right by the entrance. I highly recommend also making your way down the stairs on the west side of the gardens. It’s gorgeous in this area (and you’ll get even more amazing views!), and it was a bit less busy. 

You can buy your tickets in advance online if you’d like, but you can also purchase them in person. You’ll pass by a ticket kiosk as you’re strolling through town. I’d recommend buying your tickets here rather than at the entrance to the gardens to avoid lines. 

A statue of a woman surrounded by plants, and a French flag on the roof of a building in the background
A look down at the Mediterranean Sea from the Jardin Exotique
View looking out at a stone building with a French flag on top on the left, and the Mediterranean Sea on the right

Enjoy Lunch with a View

If you want to savor the view of the French Riviera for a bit longer, consider getting lunch at one of the most scenic restaurants in town. Some options include:

  • Le Café du Jardin at La Chèvre d’Or – the most casual (but certainly still elevated) restaurant at the iconic La Chèvre d’Or hotel. I dined at this outdoor restaurant during my visit, and overall had a nice experience. The food was mixed (we really enjoyed two dishes, but one fell flat), and yes, it was pricey…but let’s be honest, you’re paying for the view!
  • Les Remparts at La Chèvre d’Or – another amazing dining option at the hotel offering a stunning outdoor lunch experience. 
  • La Chèvre d’Or Restaurant – for an unforgettable meal, consider dining at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Lunch is served indoors, in front of windows looking out at breathtaking coastal views. 
  • Château Eza – another superb Michelin-starred restaurant (located at the Château Eza hotel) serving lunch in a stunning dining room, in front of floor-to-ceiling windows. 

As mentioned above, it’s important to book your reservation for these popular spots in advance, especially if you’re visiting in the summer! If you weren’t able to secure a reservation, some other restaurants in town to consider for lunch that don’t require reservations include Deli’ and Le Cactus. You won’t get a crazy view at these spots, but they are still well-loved! 

The patio at Le café du jardin. There are patrons sitting at tables facing the sea view.
The view of the sea and the coastline from Le café du jardin in Eze
A woman sitting at a patio table looking out at the view of the ocean below

Visit the Fragonard Boutique (& Consider Doing a Tour at the Laboratory)

Before you leave, make a stop by the boutique for Fragonard Parfumeur (at the entrance of the village). It has been in business since 1926. 

If you’d like, you can do a free tour of the laboratory situated near the boutique. During the tour, a guide educates visitors on the art of perfume making and the history of the company. There are tours every half hour (no need to book in advance), and they last half an hour.

For a more hands-on experience, you can book a perfume making class along with the factory tour. You’ll get to take your creation home as a souvenir! If you’re interested in this experience, it’s best to reserve your spot in advance. 

How to Spend the Rest of Your Day on the French Riviera 

There are so many great destinations and things to do near Èze. Since you only need to spend a few hours in the village, here are some additional recommendations on things to do for the rest of the day:

Have a lovely time exploring Èze! Here are additional travel guides to help you plan your French Riviera vacation: 

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Kyra is a travel writer and the founder of Sea to Sequoia, a site she launched in 2020. A California native who has lived in San Diego, the Bay Area, and now Los Angeles, she shares comprehensive itineraries and curated travel guides for the Golden State and dreamy destinations around the world. As a type A traveler and meticulous planner, she gives readers all they need to know to effortlessly plan their next adventure.

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